Reporters be reportin’. That’s what happens on Trade Deadline day in the major leagues and they’re reporting that the Blue Jays have consummated their second trade of the day, sending right-handed relief pitcher Joe Smith to Cleveland for two minor leaguers, LHP Tom Pannone and SS Samad Taylor.

 

 

Smith, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, heads back to the Indians where he pitched from 2009 to 2013, posting a 2.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over those five seasons. This year, Smith has struggled with the injury bug, but has made 38 appearances with a 3.28 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 35 2/3 innings, striking out a whopping 51 batters and walking just 10.

 

 

Thomas Pannone is a 23-year-old lefty currently in Double-A with Akron where he’s posting strong numbers with a 2.62 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 82 1/3 innings, striking out 81 and walking just 21. Pannone is not ranked on the Top-3o list of prospects by MLB.com but some research shows that he throws 89-91 (from the left side) who relies on fastball command for his success and he has a “decent curve and change.”

 

Taylor is much lower down in the Indians’ system, playing for the Short-Season-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the New York-Penn League. The 19-year-old second baseman was a 10th-round draft pick last year and hit .297/.344/.432 over two season in the minor leagues. Taylor has shown some pop this year, hitting .300/.328/.467 with six doubles, a triple and four home runs with Mahoning Valley. Baseball America’s draft report noted that he was “athletic and has some quick hands that give him surprising power at his size. He’s a plus runner who could wind up as a utility player and has a good chance to stay in the infield.” Taylor got a $125,000 bonus to sign with Cleveland.

 

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